Tips for increasing motivation

Make a friend or two. Many classes have an open discussion area where students can post messages that are unrelated to the course materials. Use the open discussion area to get to know other students in your class and to build a greater sense of community.

Meet the instructor. You might be close enough to campus to meet your instructor during office hours. Do so if you can. Establishing a face-to-face relationship can increase your sense of responsibility and encourage a sense of partnership with your instructor.

Get out of the house. If you don’t like studying alone, try completing your work in a computer lab, where other students will be working online. If you live near your school, form study groups with other students in your course so that you can see your peers face-to-face.

Dress the part. Get ready to study online as you would get ready for a job. Shower, get dressed, and “go to class”—even if the class is just a small office space in the corner of your bedroom. If possible, close the door and ask your friends and family not to disturb you while you are working.

Make a contribution. Contribute some ideas from your independent reading. Or share a handy source or reference work or Web site with your classmates. Making a positive contribution—being generous with ideas and information—increases your sense of worth and involvement in your class.

Tune in to your body clock. Work on your course materials when you are most alert. If you’re a morning person, complete the course materials early, before you go to work or before members of your household are awake. If you prefer staying up late, save your work for the evening hours.

Plan ahead. Preview what is coming. Scanning upcoming readings and assignments can help you feel in control. Finishing an assignment before it is due makes the course and your other obligations seem manageable.

Reward yourself. Set up a simple reward system for yourself as you progress through your course. For example, you can postpone watching your favorite TV show until after you’ve completed your homework for the week, or you can treat yourself to a movie after you’ve completed a major project. Create incentives that are meaningful to you.

Do some work every day. You need a feeling of progress and accomplishment to maintain your momentum. Avoid procrastinating and make an effort to get at least a little work done every day and a lot of work some days.

Work offline. Even though the course materials are delivered online, not all of your work has to be completed on the computer. Reduce eye strain by handwriting some activities—such as brainstorming for an essay or creating an outline.